CPT code 17271: Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hand, foot, genitalia; 0.6–1 cm2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Virginia
Reports destruction of a malignant skin lesion measuring 0.6–1 cm on the scalp, neck, hand, foot, or genitalia using a destructive method.
In Virginia, Medicare pays $159.03 for 17271 in the office and $87.13 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 17271 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 17271 covers
Code 17271 covers destructive treatment of a malignant cutaneous lesion measuring 0.6–1.0 cm at the scalp, neck, hand, foot, or genitalia. Dermatologists and other qualified physicians may use methods such as electrodesiccation and curettage, cryotherapy, laser, or chemical destruction in an office or facility setting. The service is destruction rather than surgical excision with specimen removal; basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are common examples when destructive treatment is clinically appropriate.
Choose the code by the documented lesion diameter and anatomic group, not by the treatment method. Record the lesion’s location, measurement, malignant diagnosis, and technique. For multiple procedures in one session, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and reduces the others to 50%. The 10-day global period includes related postoperative visits during those 10 days. Modifier 50 is inappropriate because the service is defined by lesion site and size, rather than as bilateral treatment. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery; co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.
How Virginia compares for 17271
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 17271 runs from $144.78 in Arkansas to $212.90 in San Benito County, CA. Virginia pays $159.03. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Virginia · this page$159.03
- Los Angeles, CA · California$182.32+$23.29
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$184.68+$25.65
- Miami, FL · Florida$174.38+$15.35
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$169.70+$10.67
- Manhattan, NY · New York$185.84+$26.81
- Alaska · Alaska$192.10+$33.07
Other areas in Virginia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | $146.75 | $82.75 |
| ArkansasArkansas | $144.78 | $81.95 |
| ArizonaArizona | $158.28 | $87.40 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | $171.61 | $91.44 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | $171.15 | $90.98 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | $171.17 | $91.00 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | $171.15 | $90.98 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | $171.15 | $90.98 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | $171.15 | $90.98 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | $171.15 | $90.98 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | $171.15 | $90.98 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | $197.11 | $100.71 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | $181.36 | $94.89 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | $171.15 | $90.98 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | $171.15 | $90.98 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | $172.79 | $92.62 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | $179.28 | $94.21 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | $178.60 | $93.83 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | $182.55 | $95.07 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | $208.34 | $105.20 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | $208.17 | $105.03 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | $212.90 | $107.43 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | $212.21 | $106.73 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | $175.76 | $92.44 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | $184.11 | $95.23 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | $179.20 | $93.91 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | $185.95 | $96.13 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | $171.15 | $90.98 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | $196.87 | $100.46 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | $171.15 | $90.98 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | $171.15 | $90.98 |
| ColoradoColorado | $168.69 | $90.86 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | $172.64 | $93.86 |
| DelawareDelaware | $160.79 | $88.52 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | $167.77 | $93.67 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | $160.13 | $90.20 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | $165.20 | $90.88 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | $151.71 | $86.46 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | $174.91 | $91.74 |
| IowaIowa | $150.19 | $83.26 |
| IdahoIdaho | $151.11 | $83.81 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | $158.83 | $91.54 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | $155.82 | $89.04 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | $169.44 | $94.32 |
| IndianaIndiana | $151.93 | $84.12 |
| KansasKansas | $149.55 | $83.42 |
| KentuckyKentucky | $150.00 | $84.97 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | $156.68 | $87.85 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | $149.79 | $85.05 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | $184.63 | $97.29 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | $167.80 | $90.77 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | $172.14 | $93.66 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | $163.71 | $89.68 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | $151.86 | $84.56 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | $159.51 | $87.03 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | $162.01 | $91.42 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | $153.65 | $86.86 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | $161.91 | $86.64 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | $155.67 | $86.99 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | $157.19 | $87.56 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | $147.40 | $84.35 |
| MississippiMississippi | $146.12 | $83.14 |
| MontanaMontana | $162.32 | $89.17 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | $153.34 | $85.09 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | $159.35 | $86.20 |
| NebraskaNebraska | $150.96 | $83.44 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | $166.10 | $89.95 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | $182.98 | $98.13 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | $174.68 | $94.80 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | $154.44 | $87.36 |
| NevadaNevada | $161.60 | $88.38 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | $190.09 | $103.12 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | $175.82 | $95.72 |
| Queens, NYNew York | $187.26 | $100.80 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | $155.48 | $85.99 |
| OhioOhio | $153.04 | $86.26 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | $149.74 | $84.42 |
| Portland, OROregon | $173.75 | $92.48 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | $160.41 | $87.56 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | $168.59 | $92.45 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | $153.26 | $86.11 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | $163.43 | $89.48 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | $166.28 | $90.72 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | $153.43 | $85.84 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | $159.00 | $85.85 |
| TennesseeTennessee | $150.25 | $83.76 |
| Austin, TXTexas | $168.08 | $90.69 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | $152.32 | $85.76 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | $160.66 | $88.17 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | $161.64 | $88.78 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | $160.63 | $88.51 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | $161.12 | $88.48 |
| Houston, TXTexas | $163.86 | $91.23 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | $156.37 | $86.96 |
| UtahUtah | $155.38 | $86.63 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | $163.43 | $89.48 |
| VermontVermont | $158.78 | $86.36 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | $167.46 | $90.44 |
| King County, WAWashington | $188.25 | $98.50 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | $154.36 | $84.28 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | $150.44 | $86.88 |
| WyomingWyoming | $161.03 | $87.88 |
17271 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
Explore a state
Local rates. Clear comparisons.
Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.
$144.78
$192.10
Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | $192.10 | 1 |
| AL | $146.75 | 1 |
| AR | $144.78 | 1 |
| AZ | $158.28 | 1 |
| CA | $171.15–$212.90 | 29 |
| CO | $168.69 | 1 |
| CT | $172.64 | 1 |
| DC | $184.68 | 1 |
| DE | $160.79 | 1 |
| FL | $160.13–$174.38 | 3 |
| GA | $151.71–$165.20 | 2 |
| GU | $174.91 | 1 |
| HI | $174.91 | 1 |
| IA | $150.19 | 1 |
| ID | $151.11 | 1 |
| IL | $155.82–$169.70 | 4 |
| IN | $151.93 | 1 |
| KS | $149.55 | 1 |
| KY | $150.00 | 1 |
| LA | $149.79–$156.68 | 2 |
| MA | $167.80–$184.63 | 2 |
| MD | $163.71–$184.68 | 3 |
| ME | $151.86–$159.51 | 2 |
| MI | $153.65–$162.01 | 2 |
| MN | $161.91 | 1 |
| MO | $147.40–$157.19 | 3 |
| MS | $146.12 | 1 |
| MT | $162.32 | 1 |
| NC | $153.34 | 1 |
| ND | $159.35 | 1 |
| NE | $150.96 | 1 |
| NH | $166.10 | 1 |
| NJ | $174.68–$182.98 | 2 |
| NM | $154.44 | 1 |
| NV | $161.60 | 1 |
| NY | $155.48–$190.09 | 5 |
| OH | $153.04 | 1 |
| OK | $149.74 | 1 |
| OR | $160.41–$173.75 | 2 |
| PA | $153.26–$168.59 | 2 |
| PR | $163.43 | 1 |
| RI | $166.28 | 1 |
| SC | $153.43 | 1 |
| SD | $159.00 | 1 |
| TN | $150.25 | 1 |
| TX | $152.32–$168.08 | 8 |
| UT | $155.38 | 1 |
| VA | $159.03–$184.68 | 2 |
| VI | $163.43 | 1 |
| VT | $158.78 | 1 |
| WA | $167.46–$188.25 | 2 |
| WI | $154.36 | 1 |
| WV | $150.44 | 1 |
| WY | $161.03 | 1 |
How the 17271 rate is calculated
Each of 17271’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.
How the rate is built · 17271
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work1.50
1.50 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense3.21
3.21 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice0.15
0.15 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
4.8600
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$162.33
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Virginia inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
1,635
- Code
- 17271
- Physician work
- 1.50
- Practice expense
- 3.21
- Malpractice
- 0.15
GPCI2026.csv
106
- Locality
- Virginia
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.983
- Malpractice
- 0.706
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 1.50 | × 1.000 | 1.5000 |
| Practice expense | 3.21 | × 0.983 | 3.1554 |
| Malpractice | 0.15 | × 0.706 | 0.1059 |
| Total RVUs | 4.7613 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Office rate, Virginia$159.03
Office: (1.5 × 1 + 3.21 × 0.983 + 0.15 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $159.03
Facility: (1.5 × 1 + 1.02 × 0.983 + 0.15 × 0.706) × $33.4009 = $87.13
Payment rules and modifiers for 17271
17271 has a 10-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 17271
Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hand, foot, genitalia; 0.6–1 cm
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 010 | Minor procedure: the day of the procedure plus 10 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 2 | Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 0 | The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.80/0.10 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 17271
Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hand, foot, genitalia; 0.6–1 cm
10-day global period ends
Oct 11, 2026
Covers Oct 1, 2026 through Oct 11, 2026 (11 days).
Visit on Oct 31, 2026
After the global period ends: visits and procedures are billed normally.
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 51 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
17271 without 51 · national office
$162.33
Lesion destruction, scalp, neck, hand, foot, genitalia; 0.6–1 cm
17271-51 · Second procedure: 50%
$81.17
When this isn’t the highest-valued procedure in the session, Medicare pays 50% of its fee schedule amount (the highest is paid at 100%).
How 17271 has changed in Virginia
17271 · Office / nonfacility
$159.03
Effective 2026-10-01
The base rate is $0.14 lower than on 2025-10-01, moving from $159.17 to $159.03 (0.1%).
It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.
One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.
What changed, release by release
January 1, 2026
RVU26A
$159.17changed to$159.03
- Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
- Work RVU 1.54 changed to 1.50
- Practice expense RVU 3.31 changed to 3.21
- Malpractice RVU 0.16 changed to 0.15
- Work GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.000
- Practice expense GPCI 0.984 changed to 0.983
- Malpractice GPCI 0.755 changed to 0.706
Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.
January 1, 2025
RVU25A
$164.13changed to$159.17
- Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
- Practice expense RVU 3.32 changed to 3.31
Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.
March 9, 2024
RVU24AR
$161.45changed to$164.13
- Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875
Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.
January 1, 2024
RVU24A
$167.32changed to$161.45
- Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
- Practice expense RVU 3.29 changed to 3.32
- Malpractice RVU 0.17 changed to 0.16
- Work GPCI 1.000 changed to 1.002
- Practice expense GPCI 0.990 changed to 0.984
- Malpractice GPCI 0.826 changed to 0.755
January 1, 2023
RVU23A
$168.86changed to$167.32
- Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
- Practice expense RVU 3.23 changed to 3.29
- Malpractice RVU 0.14 changed to 0.17
- Practice expense GPCI 0.995 changed to 0.990
- Malpractice GPCI 0.897 changed to 0.826
Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.
January 1, 2022
RVU22A
$168.84changed to$168.86
- Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
- Practice expense RVU 3.18 changed to 3.23
- Malpractice RVU 0.15 changed to 0.14
Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.
January 1, 2021
RVU21A
$166.39changed to$168.84
- Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
- Practice expense RVU 2.98 changed to 3.18
- Malpractice RVU 0.13 changed to 0.15
- Practice expense GPCI 0.991 changed to 0.995
- Malpractice GPCI 0.903 changed to 0.897
Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.
January 1, 2020
RVU20A
$166.10changed to$166.39
- Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
- Practice expense RVU 2.91 changed to 2.98
- Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.13
- Practice expense GPCI 0.986 changed to 0.991
- Malpractice GPCI 0.908 changed to 0.903
Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.
January 1, 2019
RVU19A
$165.57changed to$166.10
- Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
- Practice expense RVU 2.90 changed to 2.91
Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.
January 1, 2018
RVU18AR1
$163.56changed to$165.57
- Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
- Practice expense RVU 2.87 changed to 2.90
- Practice expense GPCI 0.985 changed to 0.986
- Malpractice GPCI 0.866 changed to 0.908
Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.
January 1, 2017
RVU17A
$161.94changed to$163.56
- Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
- Practice expense RVU 2.85 changed to 2.87
- Practice expense GPCI 0.983 changed to 0.985
- Malpractice GPCI 0.824 changed to 0.866
Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.
January 1, 2016
RVU16A
$162.58changed to$161.94
- Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
- Practice expense RVU 2.86 changed to 2.85
- Malpractice RVU 0.21 changed to 0.22
Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.
July 1, 2015
RVU15C
$161.77changed to$162.58
- Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335
Held through RVU15D.
January 1, 2015
RVU15A
$158.89changed to$161.77
- Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
- Practice expense RVU 2.78 changed to 2.86
- Malpractice RVU 0.22 changed to 0.21
- Practice expense GPCI 0.980 changed to 0.983
- Malpractice GPCI 0.778 changed to 0.824
Held through RVU15B.
January 1, 2014
RVU14A
$162.82changed to$158.89
- Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
- Practice expense RVU 3.15 changed to 2.78
- Malpractice RVU 0.23 changed to 0.22
- Practice expense GPCI 0.977 changed to 0.980
- Malpractice GPCI 0.731 changed to 0.778
Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.
January 1, 2013
RVU13AR
Earliest loaded release: $162.82
Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | $159.03 | $87.13 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | $159.03 | $87.13 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | $159.03 | $87.13 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | $159.03 | $87.13 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | $159.17 | $101.25 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | $159.17 | $101.25 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | $159.17 | $101.25 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | $159.17 | $101.25 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | $164.13 | $102.88 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | $164.13 | $102.88 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | $164.13 | $102.88 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | $164.13 | $102.88 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | $161.45 | $101.20 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | $167.32 | $104.58 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | $167.32 | $104.58 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | $167.32 | $104.58 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | $167.32 | $104.58 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | $168.86 | $104.12 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | $168.86 | $104.12 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | $168.86 | $104.12 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | $168.86 | $104.12 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | $168.84 | $105.30 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | $168.84 | $105.30 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | $168.84 | $105.30 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | $168.84 | $105.30 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | $166.39 | $108.10 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | $166.39 | $108.10 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | $166.39 | $108.10 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | $166.39 | $108.10 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | $166.10 | $111.74 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | $166.10 | $111.74 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | $166.10 | $111.74 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | $166.10 | $111.74 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | $165.57 | $113.03 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | $165.57 | $113.03 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | $165.57 | $113.03 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | $165.57 | $113.03 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | $163.56 | $112.66 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | $163.56 | $112.66 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | $163.56 | $112.66 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | $163.56 | $112.66 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | $161.94 | $111.61 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | $161.94 | $111.61 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | $161.94 | $111.61 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | $161.94 | $111.61 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | $162.58 | $111.71 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | $162.58 | $111.71 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | $161.77 | $111.16 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | $161.77 | $111.16 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | $158.89 | $110.10 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | $158.89 | $110.10 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | $158.89 | $110.10 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | $158.89 | $110.10 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | $162.82 | $109.64 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | $162.82 | $109.64 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | $162.82 | $109.64 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | $162.82 | $109.64 | RVU13AR |
Where the Virginia rate applies
Virginia is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 628 cities and communities in Virginia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abbs Valley
- Abingdon
- Accomac
- Adwolf
- Afton
- Alberta
- Aldie
- Allison Gap
17271 billing questions
When should I choose 17271 over 17270 or 17272?
Use 17271 for a lesion measuring 0.6–1.0 cm in its specified anatomic group. Code 17270 is for a smaller lesion, and 17272 is for a larger one.
How does the site affect code selection?
Code 17271 is for lesions on the scalp, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia. A lesion of the same diameter on the trunk, arms, or legs belongs to a different anatomic group.
How should multiple lesions treated in one session be reported?
Select a code for each treated lesion based on its site and diameter. When multiple procedures are performed in the same session, Medicare pays the highest-valued procedure in full and reduces the others to 50%.
Should I append modifier 50 for lesions on both sides?
No. Modifier 50 is inappropriate for this service; code selection is based on each lesion’s site and diameter.
Are related postoperative visits included?
Yes. The code has a 10-day global period, which includes related postoperative visits during that period.
Where these rates come from
FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.
CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027
Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
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